Dynamic lighting and Map layer question

To speed up map setup I created journal entries associated with tokens for light sources (like sconces, torches, lanterns, etc).  so that I can simply drag and drop them onto the map.  When I place them on the token layer they show up no problem.  However, when I place them on the background layer they "drop" behind the map image.  I've tried setting the map image to "is drawing" which does nothing to help.  I've spent about 30 minutes googling and browsing the wiki and FAQs with no luck (perhaps in part because I'm having trouble describing the issue in a google-friendly manner). I'd rather not  place these tokens on the token layer...they clutter up tight dungeons that way and slow down combat for me.  If anyone has any advice on how to approach this I'd very much appreciate it.

Right click, and select "To Front" before you send them to the Map Layer. Alternatively, If your map is in really big chunks right click on it/them and "To Back".

Right click them where?  In the journal?  That's not an option. Do you mean dropping them on the token layer, moving them to the front, then manually moving them to the map? Right now I'm placing what I think are "enough" before sending the map to the back, then adjusting and deleting as necessary.  I was really hoping for a less...sloppy method.  I mean if it's the best I got I'll work with it.

Ok, so roll20 decides what's "on top" first based on when it was added to the page and second whether or not you told something to go to the front/back. Therefore you have two very easy options: 1. Add the map image to the page before you add all your torches. This will ensure that it's on the bottom when you move your torches to the map layer. or 2. When you add the map image, immediately right-click on it and select "To Back." Any torches you then move to the map layer will then appear on top of the map image, regardless of the original order of adding. I'm confused exactly what you're doing with journal entries though... Dynamic Lighting has nothing to do with the sheet. If you want something to emit light, it's linked to the token (Advanced tab), not to the journal sheet, which you can easily access by double clicking on the torch or whatever. Tokens with bound sheets are generally not put on the map layer because lots of things you associate with sheet-bound tokens (e.g. Name plates, health bars, etc.) are hidden when a token is put on the map layer (because it's assumed to be part of the map, so you would only want the image of it, not all the details). If you are trying to access one of these functions, you will have a problem.

I'm confused exactly what you're doing with journal entries though... Dynamic Lighting has nothing to do with the sheet. If you want something to emit light, it's linked to the token (Advanced tab), not to the journal sheet, which you can easily access by double clicking on the torch or whatever. Yes, Dynamic lighting is linked to the token.  By linking the token to a journal entry, I have an entity that I can quickly pull from the sidebar that "remembers" the lighting settings already made.  Which means in theory I can have a few journal entries (one labelled "torch", one labelled "lantern", etc) that each reference a token which is already set up with the established lighting for that type.  This saves me having to manually edit a fresh object's lighting settings or copy-pasta objects from other maps. Tokens with bound sheets are generally not put on the map layer because lots of things you associate with sheet-bound tokens (e.g. Name plates, health bars, etc.) are hidden when a token is put on the map layer (because it's assumed to be part of the map, so you would only want the image of it, not all the details). If you are trying to access one of these functions, you will have a problem. These functions are not a concern to me.  All I want is the lighting settings, which are still inherited and still display when they are dropped onto the map layer.  They just drop under all the other objects on the map layer.  This happens regardless of what layer the object was on when it was linked to the journal entry. Ok, so roll20 decides what's "on top" first based on when it was added to the page and second whether or not you told something to go to the front/back. Therefore you have two very easy options: 1. Add the map image to the page before you add all your torches. This will ensure that it's on the bottom when you move your torches to the map layer. or 2. When you add the map image, immediately right-click on it and select "To Back." Any torches you then move to the map layer will then appear on top of the map image, regardless of the original order of adding. All of this works just as described...except when putting objects from the journal onto the map layer.

Nat said: All of this works just as described...except when putting objects from the journal onto the map layer. Then put them on a layer you're not using (either the token layer before you add the tokens or the GM layer), and then hit Ctrl+A to select all of them and then move them to the map layer. When you bind the token to the sheet, it likely registers the "time added" as before you added the map, so that may or may not work. Another thing you could do is make sure that the default token bound to the sheet has been pre-set with the "To Front" so that it always thinks it should be on the front. Let me know if any of this works.

It works.  I was just hoping for something more...elegant :P

I do the same thing, I have Journal Entries for many common items which are likely to be dropped during gameplay... torches, lanterns, weapons, shields, backpacks, etc. That way, when it actually happens, I can just drag and drop the item onto the map without slowing things down. I think what happens is, all those items are "time stamped" by Roll20 when the Journal Entry is created. Therefore, any encounter map created after that will be considered newer and so if you drop an item onto it (on the map layer), Roll20 will force the dropped item to the back and it disappears from view. Only way around it that I know of, is what has already been suggested: Drag and drop the item onto the Token Layer, right-click on it and select "To Front". Then send it to the Map Layer. That should keep the item above your map images and it will remain visible.

Nat said: It works.  I was just hoping for something more...elegant :P Hey, if I could get an "it works" from all the roll20 questions I've been asked, I would be thrilled :-P